It was into this maelstrom that Barack Obama stepped on Tuesday with his “Race in America” speech. I have little doubt that it failed to assuage the angriest voices on both sides of the racial divide. Those who wanted to see Senator Obama repudiate Reverend Wright will be angered by Senator Obama’s declaration that he can no more disown Reverend Wright than he can disown the black community. Those who wanted to see Senator Obama defend Reverend Wright’s most extreme views will be angered by his statements that Reverend Wright’s views reflected a “profound mistake” and failed to acknowledge the genuine “progress” that has been made.

But for people who are looking for a more hopeful, unifying course in race relations — and for a broader healing in our society — Senator Obama’s speech will be long-remembered and oft-acclaimed. It was powerful, brilliant and effective. No matter what happens in the 2008 presidential campaign, it is an address that Americans will read and recall for generations to come.

Most impressively, the address found the middle path, not by splitting the difference or offering up vague platitudes: if anything, just the opposite. More than any public figure I can recall, Senator Obama was direct and frank about lingering bitterness in the black community over advantages whites have, and about lingering white anger over busing and affirmative action. This was not a speech that sought a new unity by papering over differences: it was one that sought to face these differences squarely, call them into the open, and then ask people of good faith on both sides to see the other’s point of view and to work together to overcome these divisions.

In fairness to Senator Clinton, I have little doubt that her views on race are similar to Senator Obama’s, and that she is equally dedicated to racial healing – and that she could (and should) give a similar address on the issues of gender and fairness that her campaign has brought to the fore. But today belongs to Senator Obama, who stepped up to face a difficult situation and high expectations and succeeded tremendously.

If we claim someone similar to Rev. Wright as our spiritual mentor for over 20 years, people will call us all kind of names, ranging racist, unpatriotic and something is wrong with our spirit. We should put McCain, Clinton and Obama under the same microscope. Let’s scrutinize them by the standard. No favor. Gender neutral. Race neutral. So far his words are inspiring but not his deeds.

It was a fine speech, but it did not reflect how Obama has presented himself thorughout the campaign. It was a truth that came too late.

You can not listen to the type of hate speech given by Obama’s pastor for 20 years and not take action to change it.

Obama had 20 years in which to show his leadership in the black community, to work with his pastor to change speeches of hatred to positive actions, words, and hope. He obviously failed to do so. He went along with it apparently.

You don’t wait unti you become President of the US to try to turn that sort of hatred around if you really care about unity and progress.

This board has a hypocrisy problem. This is a case of America wanting it’s disenfranchised to remain docile and obedient.
Obama’s mixed heritage has not been national news and that is the bigger question at hand. We are focusing on the Rev. Wright’s words in a country that employs freedom of speech in it’s contstitution.
But we have failed to look at the union that produced this person of mixed race because it plays into the taboo’s that we as a nation don’t want to confront.
This is the excuse that white liberals have looked for as a way and reason not to vote for this man even though they weren’t planning to vote for him in the general election anyway.
Obama will be the VP and gain the experience that he needs to be the President of the United States within the next 4-8 years.

As a white American woman, I find no fault with the speech. It was carefully thought out, delivered with no bombast and was painfully truthful to the serious racial problems that continue to fester. I too have disagree with positions espoused by my church, but I remain in it and take comfort from it. Let’s move on and get back to the serious issues that we face in this country.

It is unfortunate that apparently neither Pat or Nancy above actually listened to the speech. I believe that Senator Obama clearly stated why he would be part of the church – for the good reasons and despite the problems. To imagine that this man has not spent his entire life struggling to heal racial divisions (beginning with his own family) is to be so filled with political hatred as to not see the truth or humanity in this person.

Could Senator Clinton give the same speech about gender? Perhaps, but of course it “sure helps” when you are born rich and privileged and when you are put on the path to power through marriage. A better speech for Senator Clinton (and a more analogous one) would be one explaining how her votes on Iraq have taught her important lessons on defining a new kind of foreign policy, or how her experiences in supporting NAFTA have taught her new ideas about crafting a true North American Economic Community, or perhaps discussing how her tragic mistakes on health care in 1993 cost the nation 15 years of uninsured misery – in other words – takling the hard stuff of her past in the way that SEnator Obama tackled the hard stuff of his today.

Senator McCain might then discuss what he learned from his participation in the S+L scandals of the 1980s.

So many comments from people ASSUME that Wright does nothing but fume and blaspheme all the time. Obama did address that–he said that what we have seen is a caricature, a few carefully chosen snippets from an angry man.

That is very, very different than making the assumption that Obama listened to that non-stop for 20+ years.

I hope that distinction is not too subtle for the American people to appreciate.

You can’t say that the Senator from New York could make the same speech when she refused to denounce or even speak out against similar, patently racist comments made by her surrogate, Geraldine Ferraro. She had her shot, and unlike Obama, who rose to the occasion, she ducked.

The Senator from New York may hold the same views as Mr. Obama, but she lacks the ability, or perhaps the fortitude, to express them on the public stage.

As a middle-aged white male form a state that has not yet held it’s primary (Montana) I found the speech genuine and consistent with Senator Obama’s message of hope. If Senator Clinton is the Democratic nominee I will have no qualms about voting for her. In our primary my vote goes to Senator Obama.

Life is complicated and fraught with contradictions. And yet politicians, as a rule, speak to us in patronizing, oversimplified half-truths. Barack Obama broke that rule today. It would have been easier for him to disown Reverend Wright entirely. But instead he told the truth. Although Obama strongly disagrees with some of what the Reverend has said, he still finds guidance from him in other areas. Despite the Reverend’s obvious flaws, he still cares about him as a person. Yes, it’s a contradiction, but that’s how life works in the real world. We all know it. What makes Barack Obama unique among politicians is that he trusts us to know it. Just imagine how refreshing it would be to have this kind of honesty, and appreciation of subtlety, coming from the White House.

Let’s put Wright’s words next to those of Falwell, Hagee, or other far-right theocons and see who sounds most hateful, shall we? The right has been preaching hate against all manner of folk and wrapping themselves in sanctimony for decades. Let’s put all that hypocrisy out on the table next time a Republican gets an endorsement from one of the fire-breathers.

It should be needless to point this out, Wright gave his speech and is alone responsible for it. Obama clearly disagrees with his pastor and said so. If those of you are just cottoning on to the fact that there remains a huge racial divide in the country, well, better to wake up now than never. Wright’s words may have been intemperate, but he wasn’t wrong. America is still a deeply racist country.

Of course, Obama handled this stinging issue with dexterity, sincerity, and intelligence. I like a candidate who can rise to a situation with well-thought out ideas that can serve as the basis of a much needed conversation on race.

What does this say about America that a look in the mirror causes a demand that Senetor Obama disavow a community memberof 20 years. (Even that gesture won’t garuntee votes and solidify Sen. Obama as a man with no principles)

The same America that would turn a blind eye to the bigget domestic and economic blunders in recent history. Did Rev. Wright words cause one forclosure, cause the dollar ‘s great decline or run up huge debt in our ecnomy?

The question is why other Americans aren’t as outrage at the greed and inequity in our society?

The middle class of all races should be focusing on how we can provide for the next generation and not so much the questioning of policies that have indirectly contributed to this reccision.

Because that is what it should take to be President its no wonder America has its priorities distorted.

Barack Obama made a great and painfully honest speech today. If America today cannot or will not see that he has extraordinary gifts of leadership unseen in this country for generations, and if this country is so blinded by its own entrenched prejudice that it brings his campaign down in a flame of hate and innuendo, America will deserve to suffer, without pity or sympathy from the rest of the world. He is your chance for a great President–be bold and take it.

Most recently, my former pastor was sentenced to 8 to 15 years for sexual misconduct with adolescent congregants. Of course I am no longer affliliated with that church or pastor nor will I ever be. As a matter of fact, I am devastated even today that I sat under his ministry as he behaved in this unlawful manner. Oh I pray that my former pastor’s uncontrollable behavior is not credited to my account.
How can I or Senaotr Obama be held responsible for what our pastors say or do?

Nancy, you’re unfairly generalizing, turning a 20 second YouTube clip into 20 years of divisive pulpit-pounding. If you haven’t read the transcript of Obama’s speech, do so. In it he speaks of all the good things Rev. Wright has done, and preached, during the 20 years that he has been Obama’s pastor. He also states that Rev. Wright has never spoken so divisively of America and black and white as he did last week. Before you accuse Obama of merely playing to the crowd in what was an incredibly difficult speech to write, and give, make sure you know what’s been said in that church for the last 20 years rather than just assuming it’s been the same as what we’ve seen in clipped segments on the news over the last week.

The last time I checked Nancy, a couple 30 second clips don’t constitute 20 years of sermons. Check out some of Wright’s other sermons besides the ones in question before you assume he’s been practicing hate speech for 20 years.

That said, this speech was absolutely magnificent. Barack has this fearless quality about him that makes him the best choice to lead.

Until 1960 this was the Catholic ‘Good Friday’ Prayer:
“Let us pray also for the faithless Jews: that our God and Lord would withdraw the veil from their hearts: that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ”
I was a practicing Catholic, as were my parents. None of us left the church over that prayer, even though we vehemently disagreed with it. I guess JFK was not held subject to the same standards as Obama is or he could not have been elected as he was a member of the Catholic Church for most of his life.
To some of you it is the ‘length’ of Obamas association with Wright that makes this ‘unforgiveable’, but you are able to look the other way over McCains self proclaimed spiritual advisor Rod Paisley, and you have no problem at all with the character of Hillary Clinton who would stoop this low:
Newsday: In her defense of an accused rapist Hillary Clinton forcefully impugned the 12-year-old rape victim, implying that the girl often fantasized and sought out “older men”. Asked about it now, the rape victim said “It’s not true, I never sought out older men – I was raped.”

The hatred is only hatred to “Nancy.” It is the legitimate view of many grown-up rational people based on their experience. The fact is that all of us know people like Rev. Wright and like Sen. Obama’s white grandmother. That so many people might have these thoughts, prejudiced though they might be, means that they are real concerns that have not been sufficiently addressed. We need more empathy. If we expect our opinions to be taken seriously we must consider that others have their own opinions, no less serious than ours.

I thought it was a great speech. He gave context to his church, which has badly distorted by a few soundbytes taken from over 4000 sermons, then played over and over again.

Imagine if someone recorded the worst thing you ever said, then played it endlessly on the nightly news? You’d look like a monster. The same has been done to Rev. Wright. The guy said some stupid things, but he also fought for his country as a Marine. He also ministers to the poor and sick.

Obama shows great dignity here. Instead of throwing his former minister under the bus for political purposes, he simple expressed total disagreement with his statements. Not all of our friends are perfect, and that applies to religious leaders as well. The right embraces Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Rev. Hagee even though they say racist and hateful things all the time. You have to look at the full measure of a person, not just a sound byte plucked from the past.

By the way Ron, I read the script for “RECOUNT” and wanted to applaud you for the work you did for Al Gore in 2000. We are still paying the price for that loss, it breaks my heart. And I’m sure it breaks yours as well.

I sat mesmerized by the power of Barack’s moment and the dignity and grace with which he tried to deal with his Gordian knot of racism . Never have I been so impressed with an answer – rich and courageous and intelligent and emotional. While my wife and I did tear up, we responded with our minds as well — it all made such common sense . I never thought I’d see a politician speak with such authenticity, a guy-wire performance.

The core issue is not based in race. The speech today should not have been about race. It should have been about Barack Obama. Mr. Obama, if you want to explain something, explain why these comments from Rev. Wright are so contrary to everything we have heard you say since this campaign began, yet you continue to stand by and have clearly embraced this man for the last 20 years. That is the issue people want you to give a speech about and by not doing so solidifies you as just another politician using rhetoric to your benefit.

He’s a politician, nothing more. He knows when to say he’s a bonehead, when to sell stock of companies that have given him money, when to step up and put on a smile and believe in the “Audacity of Hope”, when to be black, and when to be white. Give him 25 more years and he too will have a lot of dirty laundry.

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Weekly pieces by the Op-Ed columnists Charles Blow and Ross Douthat, as well as regular posts from contributing writers like Thomas B. Edsall and Timothy Egan. This is also the place for opinionated political thinkers from all over the United States to make their arguments about everything connected to the 2012 election. Yes, everything: the candidates, the states, the caucuses, the issues, the rules, the controversies, the primaries, the ads, the electorate, the present, the past and even the future.